30 students recognized with Elizabeth Wesley youth merit awards

The Elizabeth Wesley Youth Merit Incentive Award Program has been awarding monetary incentives to African-American youth in Tacoma-Pierce County since 1996. In the 19 years since the program’s inception, community members and local businesses have invested more than $700,000 in youth development.

The award ceremony -- held in Lakewood on Sept. 20 -- began with several speeches, including one from keynote speaker and Tacoma City Mayor, Marilyn Strickland. Shortly following the Mayor’s speech, 9th, 10th and 11th grade award recipients proudly marched up on stage, stating their name, school and what career they intended to have someday.

Thirty students from Franklin Pierce Schools were recognized this year with an Youth Merit Incentive award of $350.00. In Addition, Comcast Corp. awarded five Comcast Technology scholarships to students in Pierce County, each ranging from $500.00 to $1,000.00. Of the five scholarships provided, two were given to students of Franklin Pierce Schools: Amoje' A. Moody of Franklin Pierce High School and Sharon J. Washington of Washington High School.

Franklin Pierce Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to Dr. Shaun Carey, Compliance Coordinator for State and Civil Rights Laws; Wendy Malich, Title IX Officer; or William Rasplica, 504/ADA Coordinator at 315 129th ST S, Tacoma, WA 98444-5099 or at (253)298-3000.